Frank Jackson

Frank Jackson (14 February 1921-23 July 1944) was a tank crewman with the US Army M4 Sherman tank "Joy". On 23 July 1944, he was the only member of his tank crew to survive a fatal blow to the vehicle by a German armored vehicle, and he used his pistol to fight off Wehrmacht soldiers until he was killed. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for Valor.

Biography
Frank Jackson was born on 14 February 1921 in Ocean View, New Jersey, just to the south of Atlantic City. Jackson worked as a clammer at the docks until he received a draft notice in 1941 during World War II, and he was sent to fight overseas. Jackson was trained as an armored forces soldier, and he worked as a tank crewman under the US Army. In 1944, he was shipped out to France from his base in England, and Jackson was attached to the M4 Sherman tank "Joy". Jackson and his comrades fought in the breakout from Normandy, and on 23 July 1944 the tank was hit with a round from a German tank, damaging the hull. As the tank caught fire, Jackson jumped out of the hatch and took cover behind the tank, and he drew his pistol to shoot at advancing Wehrmacht troops. Jackson bravely held off a dozen German troops, and he was eventually killed in action. Jackson was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor for his act of bravery in the face of death.